Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist Chrome and Caned Rocking Chair
Located in New York, NY
High style post modern design rocking chair having a chrome frame, with caned seat and back rest, with solid wood armrests. Design reminiscent of Milo Baughman, and Max Suaze, probab...
Chrome
$1,494Sale Price|20% Off
'Zero Gravity' Rocking Chair by Peter Opsvik for Stokke Varier, Denmark 1991
By Peter Opsvik, Stokke
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Scandinavian Ergonomical Design Balance / Rocking Chair 'ZERO GRAVITY' by Norwegian Designer Peter Opsvik for Stokke Varier. Made in Denmark, 1991 design. Black stained bentw...
Fabric, Bentwood
Hans J. Wegner PP124 Rocking Chair – 1984 – PP Møbler, Denmark
Located in Weesp, NL
Hans J. Wegner PP124 Rocking Chair – 1984 – PP Møbler, Denmark A timeless masterpiece of Danish modern design, this PP124 rocking chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner in 1984, embodies...
Fabric, Ash
$33,600Sale Price|20% Off
Richard Meier for Knoll International Architectural Rocking Chaise, 1982, Signed
By Knoll, Richard Meier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and exceptionally rare rocking chaise designed by Richard Meier for Knoll International (circa 1982), this sculptural lounge piece beautifully captures Meier’s architectur...
Leather, Wood
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Prisma Armchair Rocker Lounge 1984, Memphis era
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1984 Prisma collection armchair rocker lounge. This item is on Clearance. Clearance listings are priced for quick an...
Steel
$14,735 / item
Oscillation Aluminium Rocking Chair by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscillation Aluminium Rocking Chair by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition of 8 pieces + 4 Artist's Proof. Dimensions: W 111 x D 100 x H 76 cm. Materials: Aluminium. OSCILLATION ext...
Aluminum
1970s Post Modern Tubular Chrome Rocker Rocking Chair Manner Of Maison Jansen
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a post - modern tubular chromed rocking chair attributed to Maison Jansen. These were manufactured in Italy. It symbolized the spa...
Chrome
$7,814Sale Price|30% Off
Gio Ponti Mod 572 Rocking Chair by Cassina, Hand-Carved Ash, 1955
Cassina Rocking Chair - Mod 572 - Gio Ponti Rocking chair model 572, produced by ‘Figli di Amadeo Cassina’ Milan in 1955, solid ash wood, elastic straps Pirelli, completely original...
Ash, Rubber
$1,000Sale Price|75% Off
1970's GUIDO FALESCHINI CHROME ROCKING CHAIR
Located in Waxahachie, TX
A sleek Mid-Century Modern Curved Chrome Frame Rocking Chair Upholstered In the original chenille. Insanely comfortable and relaxing chair. Classic look. Will go with many different...
Chrome
Gravity Balans Reclining Chair in tope by Peter Opsvik for Varier, Norway 1980s
By Peter Opsvik
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find am exceptionally rare "Gravity Balans" chair design by Peter Opsvik for Varier. This iconic piece features futuristic design easily recognized, it is ex...
Fabric, Wood
Modernist Thonet Style Italian Brass and Caned Rocking Chair
By Milo Baughman, Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
1970s Thonet-Style Rocking Chair, Brass & Wicker, Mid-Century Modern rocking chair from the 1970s inspired by the iconic bentwood designs of the 19th century, this chair showcases t...
Brass
German Custom Made Children's Rocking Chair
Located in Hamburg, DE
Children's rocking chair in red and white. The chair is composed of a wooden plate and is made of high quality material and workmanship. The surfaces are coated in white and red. Th...
Wood
Post Modern Charles Hollis Jones Style Lucite Rocker in White Shearling C. 1980s
By Charles Hollis Jones, Hill Manufacturing
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float on a cloud in this Charles Hollis Jones style lucite and white shearling rocker made by Hill Manufacturing. Stylish. Comfortable. Cozy. The comb...
Hide, Lucite
$1,300Sale Price|50% Off
Steampunk Shopping Carts Loveseat or Settee
By Doug Meyer
Located in Hanover, MA
***SUMMER SALE*** This is a one-of-a-kind creation salvage recycle of found objects by Industrial artist and welder, Doug Meyer, crafted by hand out of two vintage Mid-Century chromed steel shopping carts. Perfectly balanced, going and coming! The seat, back and side cushions are upholstered in muslin, ready for your own fabric. This settee is absolutely perfect for nursing a baby in lieu of a baby rocker...
Steel, Chrome
$2,878 / item
Wood Balanço Viga by Atelier Andre Ferri
Located in Geneve, CH
Wood Balanço Viga by Atelier Andre Ferri Dimensions: W 71.5 x D 13 x H 43.5 cm. Materials: Wood. ANDRÉ FERRI André Ferri is from Belo Horizonte, born in 1990, graduated in Archi...
Wood
Pair of Bamboo Children Rocking Chairs Ascribable to V. Bonacina
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. They feature a bamboo frame and their original pink fabric cushion, which are in mint condition. These rocking chairs for children are vintage, therefore they ...
Fabric, Bamboo
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Rockstar Rocker Lounge Chairs in Ivory Bouclé c. 1990
Located in Saint Louis, MO
You rock in this pair of Vladimir Kaga rocking lounge chairs newly professionally reupholstered in soft deliciously textured ivory white bouclé. Rock all day ...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Prisma Armchair Rocker Lounge 1984, Memphis Era
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1984 Prisma collection armchair rocker lounge. After decades of working with Thayer Coggin, a famously ‘hands-on’ boss that maintained final say over each and every design that went into production, Baughman was well aware of the fact that marketability and a certain level of pandering to Coggin’s established client base around the US was key to his designs bring out into production by his long-time collaborator and boss. However, inspired by the courageous young avant...
Steel
$32,079 / item
Voluta Rocking Chair by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Voluta Rocking Chair by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 Pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Stefano Marolla. Dimensions: D 105 x W 60 x H 73 cm. Materials: Bobinga wood, carbon fiber and brass. Collection / Production: Secondome. This piece can be customized. Available finishes: any kind of wood. Different finishes on request: Brass, iron, stainless steel or wood. Please contact us. The VOLUTA rocking chair, designed by STEFANO MAROLLA, made of wood, carbon fiber and brass, is inspired to the classical organic...
Brass
$4,488 / item
Flat Pack Chair by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Flat pack chair by Goons Dimensions: W 35 x D 40 x H 95 cm Materials: Wood. Goons is located in Paris, France. All of their designs are made out ...
Wood
Swing Rocking Chair Sheepskin Moonlight by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair sheepskin moonlight by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Teak, Shee...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Teak
$20,642 / item
Supra Chair by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Supra chair by Mameluca Material:Copper plated steel, leather, Assorted fabrics Dimensions: D110x W90 x H90 cm Hélio Oiticica’s Parangolés inspired the creation of a rocking cha...
Steel
Swing Rocking Chair Vegetal Oak Nature by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair Sheepskin teak Drake by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 91 x W 68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak We...
Abalone, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak
Swing Rocking Chair Sheepskin Oak Drake by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair sheepskin oak drake by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak, Sheep...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak
$2,557Sale Price|20% Off
Les Amisco Memphis Ellipse Metal and Black Leather Rocking Chair
Located in Basel, BS
Fantastic, and very Rare MCM Post-Modern, Memphis style rocker made in Canada by Les Amisco in the 80s. Stunning from all angles. Shown here with the leather cushion on and off, to ...
Metal
Contemporary "Feijão" Rocking Chair by Rodrigo Simão in Corten Steel
By Rodrigo Simão
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Designed in 2015 by Rodrigo Simão, the “Feijão” chair pays homage to the award-winning designer’s country of origin not only in its name, “Feijão” – a la...
Steel
1980s Ettore Sottsass Inspired Memphis Style Black Wood Frame Rocking Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun Ettore Sottsass inspired Memphis style rocking chair with bent, black ebonized wood frame. This chair features a Memphis style graphic printed upholstery as well. Seat width is 1...
Upholstery, Wood
Cream Figured Walnut Version 5 Rocker Chair by A. Jacob Marks
Located in Geneve, CH
Cream Figured Walnut Version 5 Rocker Chair by A. Jacob Marks Dimensions: W 61 x D 86 x H 67 cm. Materials: Figured Walnut. V5R Also available in different materials. The version...
Walnut
Post Modern Experiment Rocking Chair by Yrjö Kukkapuro
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing a stunning piece of furniture - the minimalist and sleek Yrjö Kukkapuro rocking chair for Avarte. This chair is a true example of modern design, with a focus on form and ...
Chrome, Iron
Rocking Chair Voido By Ron Arad for Magis, Italy 2006
By Ron Arad
Located in Brasília, BR
The Voido Rocking Chair was designed by Ron Arad for the manufacturer Magis in 2006. This piece of contemporary design is a true sculpture due to i...
Plastic, Lacquer
Postmodern Bamboo Rocking Chair with Red, Black and White Fabric Upholstery
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This rocking chair features a bamboo frame and its patterned fabric cushion, which has a soft padding and has no stains or flaws. It is vintage, therefore it m...
Fabric, Bamboo
$10,669 / item
Rocker 01 Rocking Chair by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Rocker 01 Rocking Chair by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 12 Pieces. Designer: Lanzavecchia + WAI. Dimensions: D 40 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Materials: Lacquered iron and leather. ...
Iron
Pair of Vintage Handmade Child Size Bart Simpson Rocking Chairs
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Sold as a pair, handmade child size Bart Simpson rocking chairs. Unique chairs that have been hand-painted and thoughtfully designed. Chairs are made of solid wood using square heade...
Sycamore
$2,408 / item
Flame Red Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color options....
Other
$18,096 / item
Dondolo Rose Antique Iron Rocking by Yukiko Nagai
Located in Geneve, CH
Dondolo rose antique iron rocking by Yukiko Nagai. Dimensions: D 82 x W 58 x H 93 cm. Material: Marble, Natural stone, Venetian color glass, Cement, Stucco, Iron Weight: 43 kg All pieces are handmade, so the colours and shapes of the patterns may vary. The chair used in this piece is a one-off antique. The price of the artwork may vary depending on the price of the chair. An antique rocking chair for the garden, made out of cast-iron and mosaic. The entire seat recreates, with mosaic, a rose and leaf pattern – inspired by an idea of spring typical of European enclosure walls – covered in ivy and roses...
Stone, Cement, Marble, Iron
$2,408 / item
Argil Grey Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color options...
Other
Swing Rocking Chair Sheepskin Oak Moonlight by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair sheepskin oak moonlight by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak, S...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Teak
$3,184 / item
Momento Rocking Chair by Dale Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Momento Rocking Chair by Dale Italia Dimensions: D 98 x W 67 x H 89 cm. Materials: Walnut and upholstery. Rocking chair in solid Canaletto walnut. Available in two finishes: natural...
Upholstery, Walnut
Swing Rocking Chair Sheepskin Teak Drake by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair sheepskin teak drake by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Teak, She...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Teak
$2,408 / item
Lime Green Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color options...
Other
Chocolate Brown Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Brown Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color op...
Other
Swing Rocking Chair Vegetal Teak Nature by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing Rocking Chair Vegetal Teak Nature by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Teak, Vege...
Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak, Teak
$2,408 / item
Milky White Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color option...
Other
$2,408 / item
Saffron Yellow Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color opt...
Other
$2,408 / item
Pumpkin Orange Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color opt...
Other
$2,408 / item
Powder Blue Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color option...
Other
$5,170 / item
Swing Rocking Chair Silk Oak Camel by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair silk oak camel by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak Weight: 16...
Silk, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak
Swing Rocking Chair Nevada Teak Cognac by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair nevada teak cognac by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Teak Weigh...
Leather, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Teak
$5,170 / item
Swing Rocking Chair Silk Teak, Camel by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing Rocking chair Silk Teak Camel by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Teak Weight: ...
Silk, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Teak
Swing Rocking Chair Nevada Oak, Black Leather by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing Rocking Chair Nevada Oak Black Leather by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak ...
Leather, Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak
Jellyfish Rocking Chair & Ottoman or Table by Wiel Arets for Quinze & Milan
Located in Izegem, VWV
The Jellyfish chair is a design by Wiel Arets. It's a funky modern rocking chair for a bite to eat, lounging, listening to music or talking with fri...
Plastic
$2,408 / item
Dove Grey Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Grey Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color options....
Other
$2,408 / item
Jet Black Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color options....
Other
$2,408 / item
Elephant Grey Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color opti...
Other
$2,408 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Blos Rocking Armchair by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 85 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 18 kg. Available in different color opti...
Other
$15,534 / item
Rocker 02 Rocking Chair by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Rocker 02 Rocking Chair by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 12 Pieces. Designer: Lanzavecchia + WAI. Dimensions: D 40 x W 200 x H 75 cm. Materials: Lacquered iron and leather. ...
Iron
Swing Rocking Chair Rewool Oak Light Syrup by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair rewool oak light syrup by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak We...
Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak
Swing Rocking Chair Rewool Oak Granite by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing rocking chair rewool oak granite by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak Weight...
Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak
Swing Rocking Chair Nevada Oak, Cognac by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Swing Rocking chair Nevada Oak Cognac by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D91 x W68 x H 103 cm Material: Wood, Foam, Rubber springs, French cane, Textile or leather upholstery, Oak Weight:...
Upholstery, Cane, Foam, Rubber, Wood, Oak